Making a Difference

What does it take to crack India's toughest exam-the UPSC? Students all across the country spend months sometimes years prepping for this one test and one interview that opens the gateway to the most prestigious career one can hope for that of an IAS officer. So how should you do it? Making a Difference is not another UPSC guidebook. It does not have practice tests or multiple-choice questions. But it does offer something rather unique guidance from an insider someone who not only aced this exam but went on to have one of the most successful careers in the IAS. A career that most only dream of. Alok Ranjan the former Chief Secretary of the Government of Uttar Pradesh brings together sections full of information that every aspiring officer should know. While sharing his own experiences he provides a deep understanding of the IAS as an institution valuable tips and insight for cracking the daunting UPSC exam the best resources to prepare for it how to ace the interview and how to build a successful career in the services. Consider this book as your first step towards the power and prestige that comes with serving the nation as an IAS officer. About the Author Alok Ranjan did his BA (honors) in Economics from St. Stephen's College Delhi and MBA from Indian Institute of Management Ahmadabad (IIM-A). He subsequently joined the IAS in 1978 after securing the fourth rank in the country. He was allotted to the UP (Uttar Pradesh) cadre. He served with distinction in various assignments in the State Government as well as Government of India before superannuating as Chief Secretary to the Government of UP in 2016. During his career he worked as District Magistrate Municipal Commissioner Secretary Basic Education Secretary Finance and Secretary to Chief Minister Principal Secretary Technical Education Urban development and environment to the State Government. He also held the post of Agriculture Production Commissioner and infrastructure and industrial development commissioner. In Government of India he held the assignments of Joint Secretary Defense and Managing Director NAFED.